Improvement in feuit-laddees



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nitthvta'trs gatrnt @frn IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-LADDERS.

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TO ALL WI'IOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Beit known that I,`B. F. TURNER, of Bridget-on, in the county of Cumberland, and State-ot' New Jersey, have invented a ncwand improved Ladder; and that the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, hereinafter referred to, forms a full and exact specification of the same, wherein I have set forth the nature and principles of my said improvements, by which my invention may be distinguished from all others of a similar class, together with such parts as I claim, and desire to have secured to me by Letters Patent. i

This invntipn relates to a new and useful improvement on an extension-ladder for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date July 9, 1867.

The present improvement consists in the application of hooks to one of the sections or lengths of the ladder, whereby the uppermost section or length may be adjusted to reduce the length of the whole ladder, ns may he required. i

The improvement further consists in the application of a base, whereby the ladder may beheld rmly in an upright or slightly inclined position without leaning it against any support.

The improvement consists, lastly, in an adjustable or reversible platform, whereby the device may be used` as a step-ladder. In the accompanying sheet of drawings Figure I is an elevation of my invention, showin adjusted with a base, to render it self-supporting.

Figure 2, a side view of tig. 1.

Figure 3, a side sectional view of the two upper sections or lengths of the ladder, showing` the application of one of the hooks for regulating? the length of the same.

Figure 4, a side sectional view of the ladder, shown adjusted as a step-ladder.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

A B C represent three sections or lengths, which comprise the ladder. A greater or less number of sections,

" however, may be'used, but three will probably be the most usual number employed. f These lengths are secured or connected together by a long bolt, D, passing through oblong slotted plates a andA oblong slots in the 4side pieces b of one section or length, and through holes in the side pieces b of the other, the lower ends of the side pieces of the uppermost sections or lengths being notched to tit over the top round c of the section .01 length immediately below. (See lig. 1.) This mode of connection is precisely the same'as' shown in my original Letters Patent, and therefore a special description of it is not here required.

On the bolt D of the section or length B of the ladder there are fitted two hooks E E, (see'igs 1 and 3;) und these hooks catch over one of the rounds ci of the uppermost section or length C. The -side pieces Z of G` lit between the side pieces of B, and the hooksE are designed to be suiiiciently strong to sustain a person on C; and said hooks, in connection with the rounds e of B, against which-the lower part of C bears, admit of C resting against support, and the whole ladder sustained in proper position. (See'fig. 3.) l

The section or length C may be extended in a greater or less degree by placing the hooks Eover rounds d, nearer to or further from its lower end. In the original patented plan there was no means devised for adjusting C, andthe ladder consequently had to he used at full length, or with one er more sections off; it could not be reduced in length less than one entire section.

The lowcrmost section or length A is provided with braces F, as in thc original plan, (see figs. 1 and but, in addition tothcse, I use a buse, G, composed of a har, f, with notches g g made in it, to receive the lower ends of the side pieces b b of B, and having two braces 7i z, connected to it by pivot-bolts t' t', the upper ends of the braces h L being connected to the side pieces b b of B by a bolt, H. This base G, it will be seen, *supa ports the ladder laterally, and in connection with A, which serves asa support principally in the opposite direc. tion, the two sections or lengths B C will bcfirmly sustained in an upright or slightly inclined position without any top support or rest, so that a person may go up them without any danger whatever.

In adjusting the device as a step-ladder, as shown in fig. 4, I use a platform, HX, consisting of two pairs of bars jj, each pair boing connected by a joint, 7c. One bar of each pairis notched, as shown at Z, to tilt over around of' the section or length to which the platform is applied', and the ends of the other bar j of each pair are provided with hooks m, to catch over another round of ysaid section or length, the floot piece n loeinglaid 0r secured upon the bars y', which are provided with the hooks.

This platform may be applied to the step-ladder at a greater or less height, as required,- and1 ift may be' applied to and detached from the step-ladder with the greatest facility.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The hooks E, when applied to or used in combination with an extension-ladder, substantially in the manner as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The base G, constructed with the pivoted braces h z, when applied to or used in combination with an extension-ladder, substantially as and for the purpose specified. i

3. In combination with the above, I claim the adjustable platform HX, as herein set forth, for the purpose specified. B. `F. TURNER.'

Witnesses:

JOSEPH MOORE, JACOB G. STREET. 

